  Hunter’s Way by Gerri Hill ISBN: 1-59493-018-X Bella Books, Inc Paperback/ $12.95/2005/ 366 pages Genre: Action thriller/ Lesbian Romance Review by Kathi Isserman Gerri Hill time after time creates fresh powerful thrilling stories intertwined with heart-pounding romances and Hunter’s Way is no exception. Tori Hunter is an arrogant, abrasive Homicide detective who alienates every partner she has ever had. In the middle of a series of murders, Samantha Kennedy transfers from the Assault division and is paired with Tori after she blows through another partner. Even though Tori is considered a nightmarish partner, Samantha stands up to her. While Samantha challenges her attitude, she respects Tori’s strong instincts as an effective detective. This bodes well for their relationship as they pursue a serial killer who may be targeting the gay and lesbian community. As their professional partnership develops, their strong attraction for one another is undeniable. Their only obstacles are Sam’s boyfriend and Tori’ very tragic past. Hill is a master at building her characters’ professional and personal relationships slowly, effectively absorbing them into the main storyline. We get to know Sam and Tori well as the plot progresses. We understand Tori’s total immersion into her career as her horrific past unfolds. We see Sam struggle with her lack of passion for her boyfriend while she is discovering new and powerful feelings for her partner that cross the line of professionalism. Tori‘s and Sam’s characters grow as their partnership intensifies. They learn to trust each other as they encounter dangerous situations, and this aspect of the partnership is very different for Tori. For the first time in Tori’s career she has a real partner, and for the first time in her life, she has a friend who cares about her. Tori also wrestles with inappropriate feelings, especially because she believes Sam is straight. But as the violence in their daily lives continues, they are forced to face their attraction to one another. Hill weaves a romance that leaves this reader breathless while crafting a police procedural that is thorough and easy to follow. The stages of tracking down a serial killer are interspersed in the story, moving it along smoothly. The dialogue throughout is on fire with passion. The tenderness in the story embraces the reader and is overpowering. Hill’s pacing is even with no abrupt starts or endings. Even though we learn the killer’s identity two thirds of the way through the story, the ending is a surprise. There is more to Hunter’s Way than we suspect. |
 In Too Deep by Ronica Black ISBN: 1-933110-17-1 Bold Strokes Books Philadelphia, PA Paperback/ $15.95/2005/ 329 pages Genre: Lesbian Crime/Romance Review by Kathi Isserman Ronica Black’s debut novel In Too Deep has everything from non- stop action and intriguing well-developed characters to steamy erotic love scenes. From the opening scenes where Black plunges the reader head first into the story to the explosive unexpected ending, In Too Deep has what it takes to rise to the top. Erin McKenzie is the newly appointed homicide detective who goes undercover as a lesbian trying to coax night club owner Elizabeth Adams into confessing. Adams is suspected of several grisly, very personal murders. Erin, who is straight and separated from her husband, gets help from veteran detective Patricia Henderson. As Erin’s liaison, Henderson, as a lesbian, works to make McKenzie believable before she embarks on her first trip to La Femme, Adam’s night club. During these sessions together with Henderson, McKenzie begins to question her sexuality while Henderson develops more than professional feelings towards her colleague. To make this even more difficult for McKenzie, she needs to get Adams interested in her without showing any desire on her part. This way she can gather information on Adams who has an airtight alibi for the last murder. While undercover, McKenzie gets more than she bargained for, jeopardizing her career and possibly her future. Black does an outstanding job of developing parallel plots of suspense and romance. They are intertwined seamlessly and flow as one. She creates pages upon pages of built up desire with Henderson, McKenzie and Adams, constructing a convincing triangle of angst, passion and jealousy. Their conflicts are heightened as business and pleasure are intermixed, crossing boundaries and leaving the reader with many questions as to who the bad guys are in this story. The tantalizing love scenes, especially in the swimming pool, will leave the reader wanting more. In Too Deep has solid portrayals of the characters, and their interaction with each other sizzles. Adams is an enigma, fiercely loyal and protective, but vulnerable. McKenzie is naïve and confused about her sexuality, but when pushed, she stands her ground. Henderson fueled by an inner rage from past associations and craving a love that is lasting, ends up coming through as a solid cop and friend. This cast is unbeatable as they move the story along with its plot twists. Black has a winner with In Too Deep, one that will keep the reader turning the pages until the very last one. |
 Life’s
Little Edge by Roselle Graskey ISBN: 09754366600 P.D. Publishing Inc Paperback/ $19.99/ 2005/ 320 pages Genre: Lesbian Intrigue/Romance Review by Kathi Isserman Roselle Graskey’s Life’s Little Edge is a well written, gripping story with an unusual plot. No one is who they seem to be in this story about former Army Sergeant Callan O’Malley turned biker and gunrunner. The story begins with flashes of the injured sergeant in an Army hospital during Desert Storm where she meets Lt. Ellen Rivers, a nurse who treats her wounds. After O’Malley gets home, she eventually hooks up with Rivers, and they fall in love. Three years later, Rivers dies in a tragic accident. Fast forward to O’Malley exiting a prison where she has served time, and we are brought to the present day with a heated poker game in the bikers’ club. In this game, she wins a woman named Terri with an all or nothing bet by Terri’s abusive boyfriend, Trey. As a biker, she must accept this bet and accept Terri as her woman when she wins, or O’Malley will put both of their lives in jeopardy. Terri’s ex starts spreading rumors that Terri is a cop so Terri and O’Malley have to pretend they are lovers to protect themselves. In Life’s Little Edge, O’Malley is the heart and soul of the plot and Graskey illustrates all of her dimensions. She cultivates a complicated character that is flawed and honorable simultaneously, who has anger, regrets, strength and tenderness all at once. While O’Malley treats Terri well, she also carries a lot of rage and takes it out on her fellow bikers at times. O’Malley fights the demons of her past while participating in illegal activities in the present. O’Malley’s and Terri’s love scenes are scorching and add force to the story. Life’s Little Edge uses flashbacks and O’Malley’s memories successfully to fill the reader in on the back-story, but Graskey does not give away anything too early as she leaves out critical plot points that prevent the reader from figuring out where this story is headed. We, as the reader, are left with anticipation as to how Terri and O’Malley get to where they are now. Their pasts don’t add up, and we must keep the pages turning to find out. We are brought into the dangerous world of drug dealing, gunrunning, dirty cops and possible murder, but with a cast of characters who have CIA, Army and Air Force backgrounds, we do not know who the criminals are and who the good guys are. Even in the final pages, we are captivated by this riveting story and do not get closure until the last word is written. It is said that the best storytellers write about what they know. Graskey, as an Army veteran, has done just that. I highly recommend this thrilling one of a kind love story. |